Pickup trucks used to be a real symbol of the working class, and it wasn’t uncommon to see them in very sparse and utilitarian forms. However, now many of them are family haulers and RV towers. Recently, compact and midsize trucks for sale have started to regain popularity as full-size trucks continue getting bigger and more expensive.
Good Choices
The Nissan Frontier is a recently refreshed model and it’s pretty good at basic truck things. It offers an attractive exterior, modern tech, and a max towing capacity of 6,720 pounds. However, the Frontier isn’t as comfortable or refined as some other midsize trucks for sale, and it is also on the expensive side.
The Toyota Tacoma hasn’t been refreshed in quite a while, but that doesn’t seem to matter to its legions of enthusiasts. The Tacoma is rugged and very capable off-road. It also offers a towing capacity of 6,800 pounds. You’ll have a choice of engines between an inline-four and a V6.
The new generation of Ford Ranger is only new to the United States market, as a very similar version has continued to sell outside of the U.S. Like the Tacoma, the Ranger hasn’t been modified much, but it still offers a strong engine, and even higher towing capacity at 7,500 pounds.
Better Choices
When it comes to pure fun with some utility thrown in on the side, you can’t beat the Jeep Gladiator. Unlike any other truck on the market, the Gladiator has a removable top and doors. It’s probably the most off-road capable truck you can buy right off the lot and it offers a choice of two engines. Towing capacity maxes out at 7,700 pounds.
The Honda Ridgeline is one of the more controversial midsize trucks for sale. It’s not a conventional pickup by any means with its unibody construction and low towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. However, it has great road manners and gets decent fuel economy.
Similarly, the Hyundai Santa Cruz uses a compact crossover platform to provide excellent road manners and good fuel economy. It can tow 5,000 pounds like the Ridgeline and offers a choice of two four-cylinder engines.
Best Choices
There are a few trucks at the top of the heap for the midsize class, and one of them is the Chevrolet Colorado. It’s very off-road savvy, can tow up to 7,700 pounds, offers several engine choices, and has plenty of modern tech. The GMC Canyon is similar to the Colorado, but it has a nicer exterior and you can get the luxurious Denali trim at the top end of its price range.
Finally, the midsize truck that has recently taken control of the segment is the Ford Maverick. The hybrid system gives it excellent fuel economy around town or on the freeway, and its value can’t be overstated with the base trim starting at $22,595. It offers a decent towing capacity of 5,080 pounds as well.
Deciding which one of these midsize trucks for sale is the right one for you will depend on what you need it to do. For off-road ability, the Jeep Gladiator, Toyota Tacoma, and Chevy Colorado stand out. But for light use and utility, you might consider lower-priced trucks like the Maverick or Santa Cruz.
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